On the occasion of 20th anniversary of the issuance of postage stamps by Croatian Post, we created a postage stamp with a QR code, and the project was completed with the help of our digital agency Brlog. The project objective is turning a postage stamp into an interactive and informative tool, and not just proof of payment of shipping.

Although we have already written about this on our blog, repetition is the mother of all learning: The QR code (short for “quick response”) is a two-dimensional code that resembles a standard bar code, with one key difference: it can be read using a mobile phone. A textual message is embedded within the square making up the code, most often a web address. After reading the QR code, the internet browser of the user’s phone immediately redirects to the address contained in the QR code. In comparison with writing web addresses, this technology allows for access to the desire web address quickly and easily, without any typing.

The QR code on the new postage stamp of Croatian Post, officially entitled “Stamp Day 2011” and valued at HRK 3.10 connects the user with the mobile website qrmarka.posta.hr. When entering the unique code on the stamp, the user immediately receives confirmation of receipt of the package, and further information about its journey. Users can also add their textual messages and images, various announcements about the destination of the stamp and the like. All that is necessary to read the QR code is a mobile device with internet access and one of the applications that can be downloaded for free and simply installed.

So, instead of another cake on the stamp, we wanted to give the postage stamp a new dimension – as we are living in an era of smartphones and social networks, we have decided to play with it, while also reminding of the romantic side of the journey of the stamp from point A to point B :)

The postage stamp is also a sort of ambassador of its nation, so we wanted to communicate that Croatia is a modern country, in step with global technological and communications accomplishments, and by choosing the square border of the QR code in red, it’s also tied in with the Croatian visual identity.

We sent our first postcard with the QR stamp to Helena Rosadnić, director of our office in Baku, Azerbaijan.